Angling rod support apparatus

Abstract

 Angling rod support apparatus (10) comprising a bar or frame (11) from which at least one leg (26) extends when the apparatus is in use. The said at least one leg (26) comprises a first elongate part (38) having an inner end pivoted by a pivot (40) to the bar or frame (11) and a second elongate part (48) extending along the first part (38) and longitudinally movable in relation thereto between a locking position and a freeing position which is further away from the said inner end than the said locking position. The apparatus further comprises a collar component (60, 62, 64) attached to the bar or frame (11) and having at least two collar portions (60, 64) defining respective positions in which the leg can be locked. One of the positions is a stow-away position and in the other the leg extends downwardly from the bar or frame (11), when the said second part is in its locking position and an inner end thereof is in engagement with an associated one (60) of the collar portions. The said second part (48) is movable from its locking position to its freeing position, so that the inner end of the said second part (48) is moved out of engagement with one of the collar portions (60), whereafter the leg (26) may be pivoted about the pivot (40) and the inner end of the said second part (48) then moved into engagement with the other or another of the collar portions (64) by movement of the second part (48) from its freeing position to its locking position.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus for use in supporting one or more angling rods in readiness for a strike.

[0002] Such apparatus has been proposed hitherto in which a bar or frame of the apparatus is provided with a plurality of legs, typically four, which extend downwardly and outwardly from the horizontal bar or frame.

[0003] One problem encountered by such a construction is the difficulty in making the apparatus collapsible, so that the legs can be brought into alignment with the horizontal bar or frame, but at the same time sturdy and stable when in the unfolded condition for use in which the legs extend downwardly and outwardly from the bar or frame.

[0004] The present invention seeks to provide a remedy.

[0005] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to angling rod support apparatus comprising a bar or frame from which at least one leg extends when the apparatus is in use, characterised in that the said at least one leg comprises a first elongate part having an inner end pivoted by a pivot to the bar or frame and a second elongate part extending along the first part and longitudinally movable in relation thereto between a locking position and a freeing position which is further away from the said inner end than the said locking position, the apparatus further comprising a collar component attached to the bar or frame and having at least two collar portions defining respective positions in which the leg can be locked, one of which being a stow-away position and in the other of which the leg extends downwardly from the bar or frame, when the said second part is in its locking position and an inner end thereof is in engagement with an associated one of the collar portions, the said second part being movable from its locking position to its freeing position, so that the inner end of the said second part is moved out of engagement with one of the collar portions, whereafter the leg may be pivoted about the pivot and the inner end of the said second part then moved into engagement with the other or another of the collar portions by movement of the second part from its freeing position to its locking position.

[0006] Preferably, the said second part is generally tubular and is coaxial with and surrounds the first part. That enables a balanced construction to be made and also one which is less likely to suffer from ingress of dirt.

[0007] Preferably, a spring loading is provided between the said first and second parts to urge the second part towards its locking position. This assists in changing the position of the leg relative to the bar or frame.

[0008] Advantageously, the leg is provided with a third elongate part, one end of which can be attached to an outer end of the said first part in a tightened position, the third part being movable relative to the said first part from its tightened position to a loosened position, such that the said second part is inhibited from being moved from its locking position to its freeing position when the said third part is in its tightened position, but such that the said third part enables the said second part to be moved from its locking position to its freeing position when the said third part is in its loosened position. This effects an especially secure and locked-tight apparatus when in use.

[0009] Advantageously, the said outer end of the said first part protrudes outwardly and beyond an outer end of the said second part when the said second part is in its locking position. This facilitates the change of the said third part between its tightened position and its loosened position.

[0010] The said first part and the said second part may be connected together by means of interengaging screw threads which facilitate the change in the position of the third part between its tightened position and its loosened position.

[0011] Advantageously, the said at least one leg comprises a further elongate part which is telescopically in engagement with the said second and/or the said third elongate part. This enables the effective length of the leg to be adjusted. A selected position between the further part and the said second and/or said third part may be secured by means of a cam lock of the apparatus.

[0012] Advantageously, the said further part of the leg is hollow and is of a greater diameter than the said second part and/or the said third part. In that case, the cam lock would be provided at an intended inner end of the said further part.

[0013] Advantageously, for stability the apparatus is provided with at least two legs as defined by one or more of the preceding paragraphs, each of which is provided with a further pivot having a pivot axis generally transverse of the first mentioned pivot, to further facilitate folding and unfolding of the apparatus.

[0014] The said at least two legs may be provided with intermeshing gear teeth extending around their respective second pivots. This ensures a symmetry in the positioning of the legs with respect to the bar or frame.

[0015] In a preferred construction, the apparatus is provided with a frame having two elongate bars which are horizontal when the apparatus is in use secured together by spacers.

[0016] Examples of apparatus embodying the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1

shows a perspective view of the apparatus from above and to one side;

Figure 2

shows parts of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 on a larger scale;

Figure 3

shows parts of one of the legs of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2 from one side;

Figure 4

shows a cross-sectional view through the leg part shown in Figure 3 in the plane indicated by the line IV-IV of Figure 3;

Figures 5 to 11

show respective successive positions of the parts of the legs shown in Figures 3 and 4 as the leg is changed from one position to the other;

Figure 12

shows an exploded view of a modified construction of leg parts for the apparatus;

Figure 13

shows those parts in an assembled condition;

Figure 14

shows an axial sectional view of the leg parts shown in Figure 13, taken in a plane defined by the line XIV-XIV of Figure 13;

Figure 15

shows a see-through view of the parts shown in Figure 13;

Figure 16

shows a cross-sectional view of the leg parts shown in Figure 15 in the plane defined by the line XVI-XVI of Figure 15;

Figure 17

shows a perspective view from above and to one side of a further embodiment of the present invention in a condition ready for use;

Figure 18

shows a perspective view from above and to one side of the apparatus shown in Figure 17 in a stow-away condition;

Figure 19

shows a perspective view from below and to one side of an end part of the apparatus shown in Figure 17;

Figure 20

shows the part shown in Figure 19 in a stow-away condition;

Figure 21

shows parts of Figure 19 from a different angle;

Figure 22

shows an axial section of the part shown in Figure 21 in the plane defined by the line XXII-XXII of Figure 21; and

Figure 23

shows, in the same sectional plane as Figure 22, parts thereof on a larger scale.

[0017] The apparatus shown in Figure 1 comprises a rod pod 10 for use in supporting one or more angling rods in readiness for a strike. The rod pod 10 may be made of a suitable metal, metal alloy or synthetic plastics material. It comprises a frame 11 having two generally horizontal bars 12 held together level with one another by means of spacers 14. Spacers 14 at the ends of the bars 12 are provided with mounts 16 for uprights 18 which in turn hold a buzz bar 20. Each buzz bar 20 is provided with three butt rests 22, one at each end and one in the middle.

[0018] A leg mount 24 extends between the bars 12, one adjacent to one end of the frame, and another adjacent to the other end. From each leg mount 24 there extend two legs 26. Each leg 26 extends downwardly and is splayed in a direction away from the centre of the frame.

[0019] The construction of parts of each of the legs 26 is shown in greater detail in Figures 3 and 4. Thus each leg has a mounting block 30 through which extends a pivot bore 32 around part of which extend a series of teeth 34. These teeth intermesh with those of the other of the legs in the mount 24.

[0020] Each leg also has a first elongate part 38 pivotally connected to the mounting block 30 by way of a pivot 40 at an inner end of the elongate part 38. The axis of the pivot 40 is generally transverse to that of the pivot bore 32. The other end of the elongate part 38 is provided with an external screw thread 42. The central portion 44 of the part 38 is of wider cross-sectional diameter so that it provides a shoulder 46 at its inner end. Each leg also has a second elongate part 48. This part is tubular and is coaxial with and surrounds the first elongate part 38. It has a bushing 50 at its inner end through which extends the first elongate part 38 in sliding engagement therewith. A compression spring 52 extends between the shoulder 46 and the bushing 50.

[0021] A third elongate part 54 has an intended inner end 56 provided with an internal screw thread 58 which engages the external screw thread 42 of the first elongate part 38. The third elongate part 54 has the same external cross sectional diameter as the second elongate part 48.

[0022] The mounting block 30 is provided with three collar portions (only two of which are shown in Figures 3 and 4, but all three are evident in Figures 1 and 2). These are labeled 60, 62 and 64, respectively with interconnecting slots 61 and 63. A further elongate part 66 of each leg has a pointed ground engagement outer end 68, is hollow and is telescoped on to the third elongate part 54 and/or the second elongate part 48, the further part 66 being tubular and of a larger diameter than the second and third elongate parts so that the latter can be received into the hollow interior of the part 66. The upper end of the part 66 is provided with a cam lock 70 which can be selectively locked on to any position along the second and third elongate parts so that the effective length of each leg is independently adjustable.

[0023] When the rod pod is to be folded up for stowing away, the third elongate part 54 can be rotated in an anti-clockwise sense from the tightened position it has in Figure 4, in which the inner end of the second part 48 is locked in the collar portion 60, to a loosened position in which the second part 48 can be pulled against the resilience of the compression spring 52 so that the inner end and bushing 50 are removed from the collar portion 60. The first part 38 and with it the rest of the leg 26 could now be rotated about the pivot 40 until the first elongate part 38 is in alignment with the collar portion 64. The first elongate part 38 may now be allowed to travel towards the pivot 40 so that the inner end of the part 38 and with it the bushing 50 are now received in the collar portion 64. The leg may be locked in this position by the tightening of the third elongate part 54 onto the first elongate part 58 by a clockwise rotation of the part 54 with the screw threads 42 and 58 interengaging. The reverse procedure may be adopted to unfold the pod ready for use.

[0024] Figures 5 to 11 show successive steps in moving the leg from a fully extended position to an intermediate position.

[0025] In the construction of leg and mount shown in Figure 12, corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals as in Figures 3 and 4. In this construction, the screw threaded end of the first elongate part 38 is omitted, and the outer end of the part 38 is provided with a protuberance 120 engaging a recess 122 in the interior of the part 48 to act in the manner of a bayonet connection. The outer end of the part 48 is provided with a cap 124 itself having a screw threaded spigot 126 projected in an outward direction.

[0026] In this construction, the tubular part 48 can be rotated to release the bayonet connection, pulled outwardly against the resilience of the spring 52, pivoted around to the other collar portion 64, and then released a little with the action of the spring 52 to insert the inner end of the part 48 into the collar portion 64, whereafter the part 48 is rotated to reengage the bayonet connection and lock the leg part 48 in that new position. The reverse procedure can be used to put the leg back into the position as shown in Figures 12 to 16.

[0027] In the rod pod shown in Figures 17 to 23, corresponding parts have the same reference numerals as in the rod pod shown in Figures 1 to 4. In this construction, the leg mounts 24 and the end spacers 14 are merged as one component 24, so that this itself also is provided with the mounts 16 for uprights (not shown in these Figures). In this construction, the horizontal bars are telescopically adjustable in effective length, and in each leg the first elongate part 38 is a lot shorter and only has a short length of wider cross-section 44 to provide the shoulder 46. The bushing 50 of the inner end of the second elongate part 48 has an internal screw threading 230 which engages an external screw threading 232 around the inner end of the elongate part 38 where it is engaged by a pivot pin of the pivot 40.

[0028] In this embodiment, the leg 26 can be moved from its extended position to its stow-away position by rotating it in an anti-clockwise sense to disengage the bushing 50 from the inner end of the first elongate part 38, pulling the leg outwardly against the resilience of the pin 32, rotating it about the pivot 40 until the bushing 50 and inner end of the elongate part 48 are in alignment with the other collar portions 64, releasing the tension in the spring 52 by allowing the inner end of the elongate part 48 and with it the bushing 50 to be received within the collar portion 64, whereafter the screw threadings 230 and 232 are re-engaged and then tightened with the leg in its stow away position. The reverse action enables the leg to be put back into its extended position.

[0029] Numerous modifications and variations may occur to the reader without taking the resulting construction outside the scope of the present invention. To give one example only, the spring 52 may be omitted.

Claims

1. Angling rod support apparatus (10) comprising a bar or frame (11) from which at least one leg (26) extends when the apparatus is in use, characterised in that the said at least one leg (26) comprises a first elongate part (38) having an inner end pivoted by a pivot (40) to the bar or frame (11) and a second elongate part (48) extending along the first part (38) and longitudinally movable in relation thereto between a locking position and a freeing position which is further away from the said inner end than the said locking position, the apparatus further comprising a collar component (60, 62, 64) attached to the bar or frame (11) and having at least two collar portions (60, 64) defining respective positions in which the leg can be locked, one of which being a stow-away position and in the other of which the leg extends downwardly from the bar or frame (11), when the said second part is in its locking position and an inner end thereof is in engagement with an associated one (60) of the collar portions, the said second part (48) being movable from its locking position to its freeing position, so that the inner end of the said second part (48) is moved out of engagement with one of the collar portions (60), whereafter the leg (26) may be pivoted about the pivot (40) and the inner end of the said second part (48) then moved into engagement with the other or another of the collar portions (64) by movement of the second part (48) from its freeing position to its locking position.

2. Angling rod support apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the said second part (48) is generally tubular and is coaxial with and surrounds the first part (38).

3. Angling rod support apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that a spring loading (52) is provided between the said first and second parts (38, 48), to urge the second part (48) towards its locking position.

4. Angling rod support apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the leg (26) is provided with a third elongate part (54) one end of which can be attached to an outer end of the said first part (38) in a tightened position, the third part (54) being movable relative to the said first part (38) from its tightened position to a loosened position, such that the said second part (48) is inhibited from being moved from its locking position to its freeing position when the said third part (54) is in its tightened position, but such that the said third part (54) enables the said second part (48) to be moved from its locking position to its freeing position when the said third part (54) is in its loosened position.

5. Angling rod support apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the said outer end of the said first part (38) protrudes outwardly and beyond an outer end of the said second part (48) when the said second part is in its locking position.

6. Angling rod support apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the said first part (38) and the said second part (48) are connected together by means of interengaging screw threads which facilitate the change in the position of the third part (54) between its tightened position and its loosened position.

7. Angling rod support apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the said at least one leg (26) comprises a further elongate part (66) which is telescopically in engagement with the said second (38) and/or the said third elongate part (48).

8. Angling rod support apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that a selected position between the further part (66) and the said second (38) and/or said third part (48) is securable by means of a cam lock (70) of the apparatus.

9. Angling rod support apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterised in that the said further part (66) of the leg (26) is hollow and is of a greater diameter than the said second part (38) and/or the said third part (48).

10. Angling rod support apparatus according to claim 9 read as appended to claim 8, characterised in that the cam lock (70) is provided at an intended inner end of the said further part (66).

11. Angling rod support apparatus according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the apparatus is provided with at least two such legs (26) each of which is provided with a further pivot (32) having a pivot axis generally transverse of the first mentioned pivot (40), to further facilitate folding and unfolding of the apparatus (10).

12. Angling rod support apparatus according to claim 11, characterised in that the said at least two legs (26) are provided with intermeshing gear teeth extending around their respective second pivots (32).

13. Angling rod support apparatus according to any preceding claim characterised in that the apparatus is provided with a frame having two elongate bars which are horizontal when the apparatus is in use secured together by spacers.

Drawing